Up to $30M for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project in the State Water Commission Budget

Posted: Jun 01 2017

Up to $30M for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project in the State Water Commission Budget

The North Dakota State Water Commission’s budget for the 2017-2019 biennium has been approved with up to $30 million slated for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP). Of the $30 million grant, $17 million will be directed towards planning and permitting, while the remaining $13 million is to initiate construction.

“The Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (Garrison Diversion) and Lake Agassiz Water Authority (LAWA) requested $30 million in funding to keep the project affordable for the participating communities and water systems, which is very important for the ongoing success of the project,” says Duane DeKrey, Garrison Diversion General Manager.

The state and local funding will allow Garrison Diversion to design a portion of the pipeline and wrap up the discharge structure design, as well as begin construction to ensure coverage under current regulations and permitting. It will also allow the project team to exercise existing easement options and acquire remaining easements.

“We are so thankful for the legislative support of this crucial project. The funding included in the State Water Commission budget for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project will allow us to stay on the critical path to complete the project effectively and efficiently,” says Tim Mahoney, LAWA Board Chairman.

When it is completed, the RRVWSP will benefit about half of North Dakota’s population by providing a supplemental source of water during droughts by delivering water from the Missouri River to central and eastern North Dakota through a buried pipeline. The water will provide opportunities for industrial development in participating communities from the central part of the state to the Red River Valley.

Thirty-five cities and water systems have committed to help fund the development portion of the project which includes conceptual engineering, phased preliminary engineering, and financial modeling. The goal is to begin phased bidding and construction of the RRVWSP in 2019.

Surface water supplies in Central North Dakota and the Red River Valley are limited and unreliable, particularly under drought conditions. Additionally, limited groundwater supplies are nearly fully appropriated. With continued growth and industrial development, the RRVWSP is needed to:

Mitigate against drought conditions that would cause costly water shortages

Foster economic development by meeting municipal, industrial, and rural water demands